Bathing-platform for infants



E. B. SMITH.

BATHING PLATFORM FOR INFANTS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-3,1915.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

,- INVENTOR UNITED TAT PAENT 0FFTOE.

I EARL B. SMITH, or PITTSBURGH,PENNSYLVANIA.

BATI-IIN'G-PLATFORM FOR INFANTS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARL R. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bathing Platforms for Infants, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a platform for use in bathing infants, designed to be supported in the ordinary bath tub. The primary objects of the invention are; the provision of a platform which can also be used as a shallow tub if desired, the sides being so low as to offer no interference when it is desired to use the device as a platform and not as a tub; the provision of a platform positioned below the edges of the tub so that such edges act as a guard; and the provision of a platform which can be adjusted to tubs of various sizes, which can be easily washed and which is self draining. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of a tub provided with my improved platform, Fig. 2 is a section on the line IIII of Fig. 1, Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged plan and side elevation views, respectively, of one of the members for supporting the platform, Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the platform on the line VV of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale through the stopper block.

The platform comprises a substantially flat plate 1 of metal having its side and rear edges 2 and 3 upturned as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The side edges 2 are inclined toward each other at their front ends as indicated at 4: and soap receptacles 5 are pressed into the sheet of metal. The front edge 6 of the plate is fiat and lies in alinement with the body of the plate to permit drainage. In order to facilitate the drainage the plate is inclined downwardly from its rear to its front edge as indicated in Fig. 5 wherein the dotted line 7 indicates the horizontal plane.

In order to support the platform two transverse bars 8, preferably of metal, are spot welded to the lower side of the plate 1. These bars carry at their ends a pair of bolts 9 and 10 as indicated in Fig. 4:, such bolts extending through slots 11 and 12 in bars 13, such bars having their outer ends Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 3, 1915. Serial No. 48,750.-

upcurved and preferably covered with a coating of rubber 14. The bolts 9 and 10 are provided with holding nuts so that the bars can be securely held in any desired po sition of adjustment. The hooked portions of the bars 13 can be varied to suit requirements, being made to extend farther around the edges of the tub when so desired.

When it is desired to use the platform as a shallow tub the stopper block 15 is employed. This stopper block is preferably of rubber and is formed at its ends to fit the inclined edges 4;, t (Fig. 1). The block is preferably made of the cross-section indi cated in Fig. 6, a flexible foot portion 16 being provided to prevent leakage as well as a vacuum groove 17 so that when the block is pressed down upon the wet plate a tight joint is insured.

The plate constituting the platform may be formed of non-corrodible material, such as aluminum, or of enameled sheet metal. When in operative position as indicated in Fig. 2, the platform lies below the upper edges of the tub so that such edges act as guards for the platform, such guarding action being made possible by reason of the fact that the platform extends substantially from one side of the tub to the other. The upturned edges 2 and 3 are of sufficient height to permit the platform to act as a tub when the block 15 is in position, but are not of sufficient height to interfere in any way with the handling of the infant upon the platform. The platform is preferably made substantially flat since this form in no way interferes with the device as-a tub, and renders the device more serviceable as a platform upon which the infant may be bathed or dressed.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, an infant bathing platform comprising a substantially flat plate adapted to extend longitudinally of a bath tub, and having up-turned side and rear edges with the up-turned side edges inclined toward each other at their front ends, and having the front edge flat to permit drainage, a removable stopper block lying between the inclined ends of the side edges and engaging such ends and the upper surface of the plate, and means for supporting the platform adjacent the upper edges of a bath tub.

2. In combination, an infant bathing platform comprising a substantially flat plate adapted to extend longitudinally of a bath tub, and having up-turned side and rear edges with the up-turned side edges inclined toward each other at their front ends, and having the front edge flat to permit drainage, a stopper block having its lower surface cupped and lying between the inclined ends of the side edges, and means for 10 supporting the platform adjacent the upper edges of a bath tub.

3. In combination, an infant bathing platform comprising a substantially fiat plate adapted to extend longitudinally of a bath tub, and having up-turned side and rear edges with the up-turned side edges inclined toward each other at their front ends, and having the front edge flat to permit drainage, a removable stopper block lying between the inclined ends of the side edges,

and means for. supporting the platform adjacent the upper edges of a tub, the said plate being inclined downwardly from its rear to its front end to facilitate drainage.

n. B. SMITH. 

